Recondition Gearbox + engine

[spanishireland]

hi lads want to put a van on the road for a bit of work I'm doing and then going to convert it into a camper and take it on a trip across Europe for about three months maybe longer depending.

I've not got a huge budget so I want to get something reliable and sturdy that I can get parts for and won't cost a fortune to get fixed and decided on a transit.

I was told to look at getting maybe a ten year old van or around 100,000 miles and then get a reconditioned engine/ gearbox or maybe remanufactured but I don't really know what the story with that is.
I looked around and found a load of sites for companies that do it but not really sure should I take the engine in the van I buy to someone to get it done or should I get an engine from someone and get it fitted ?
How much should it cost to get that kind of work done?
Is it worth doing for a van that age ?
I don't want to have it break down on me when I'm away and have to get it fixed there if it's something with the engine or the gearbox.
If anyone can recommend someone that'll do engines or gearboxes, I don't mind driving and leaving the van to get it done.
Thanks.

[AndyG]

I think you'll find that a 100,000 mile/10 year old Transit wouldn't want or need an engine and gearbox
So whoever told you that, was talking rubbish and probably based their theory on some other brand of van

Just check that it drives nicely and when you buy one, a full service including the cambelt will be as good as getting a new engine

The only problem you'll have, is finding one with no rust